The Australian government has announced significant updates to immigration laws, effective July 1, 2024. Under the new legislation, employers found exploiting migrant workers or breaching sponsorship obligations can be banned from hiring temporary visa holders in Austrailia. This aims to tackle unscrupulous practices undermining wages and working conditions across Australia.

Also, two pilot programs will commence on July 1, 2024, addressing visa barriers preventing foreign nationals from seeking redress. These programs aim to provide formal protection against visa cancellation, empower foreign nationals to report wrongdoing without fear and test a workplace justice visa.

These changes follow the government’s commitment to improving protections for visa holders against exploitative workplaces, with new legislation, the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, coming into effect on July 1, 2024. The Act includes criminal offences and civil penalties for employers coercing non-citizens to breach visa conditions, prohibits convicted employers from hiring more temporary migrant workers, and introduces measures for greater transparency and compliance.

We offer specialised assistance to employers preparing for these changes, and guidance on immigration compliance best practices.

For more information, feel free to contact us